Albert McKenzie VC memorial unveiled in Tower Bridge Road

A memorial to a local hero who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery in the Zeebrugge raid of 1918 has been unveiled in Tower Bridge Road.

Mayor of Southwark Cllr Dora Dixon-Fyle with Admiral Lord West in front of the newly unveiled memorial

Paul Keefe, chair of the committee that raised funds for the memorial

Sir Simon Hughes, former Bermondsey MP, has been a long-term supporter of the project

Colin McKenzie spoke on behalf of the family

Carl Dealuwť, governor of West Flanders, travelled from Belgium to be present at the ceremony

Jenny Bianco, deputy lieutenant for Southwark, read a message from the Queen and placed a wreath at the memorial

The inscription at the base of the memorial

Admiral Lord West inspected a Royal Navy parade before the ceremony began

The memorial was blessed and dedicated by a Royal Navy chaplain

The plinth evokes the mile-long Zeebrugge mole where Albert McKenzie earnt his VC

Born in Alice Street, McKenzie was an able seamen in the First World War who took part in the famous Zeebrugge raid of St George's Day 1918. While most of those with him were killed, Albert McKenzie saw off several enemy troops in the harbour at Zeebrugge, leaving him severely wounded but ultimately able to survive.

Albert McKenzie was the first London sailor ever to receive the Victoria Cross and the first sailor to be awarded the VC by the votes of his comrades.

McKenzie, who lived in Shorncliffe Road, was awarded his VC by George V in August 1918 but caught influenza which, because of his weakened resistance after his injuries, led to his death on 3 November 1918, just days before the armistice.

It is five and a half years since a fundraising campaign – spearheaded by Paul Keefe of the Stansfeld Oxford and Bermondsey Club – was launched with the aim of creating a permanent memorial to Albert McKenzie.

The memorial – which stands on a plinth designed to evoke the harbour wall at Zeebrugge – has been created by local architect Tim Wood and local blacksmith Kevin Boys.

Friday's unveiling ceremony – timed to coincide with McKenzie's 117th birthday – was carried out by former First Sea Lord and security minister Admiral Lord West.

Messages from the Queen and prime minister David Cameron were read out during the ceremony.